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Information on PS2->USB hack for dual mice
LJHalfbreed:
Hey people!
I've got a question...
I'm trying to get both a trackball and a spinner to work on my cabinet. However, the models I have are both PS/2 mouse connections. I've seen online a few PS2->USB converters/adapters, and I even own one (even though it's for keyboards and not mice).
What I'm trying to find out is "Is it possible to hack both spinner and TB into using USB, and if so, how? I've googled and searched, and mainly all I can find is links to the various mouse+keyboard->USB converters.
In addition, I'm currently using XP Pro. Would I run into any big problems using two 'mice'? Would using an optipac help or hurt me in this situation?
I'm just trying to get the biggest bang for my buck, and don't want to spend 50 bucks when I can just solder some wires together. (I've got plenty of USB and PS2 cables, plus this keyboard ps/2->USB converter).
Any advice/suggestions/links?
Thanks much!
-LJ
Bgnome:
keep one on ps/2 and hook the other one up to the usb adapter..
another option is to wire them together and use a switch to select between the two:
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/DPDTswitch.shtml
paigeoliver:
Also, doesn't the USB adaptor only work if the mouse/keyboard has both kind of electronics inside? I know the serial/ps2 adaptors are like that.
Bgnome:
i had one of those that was a straight-through adapter for ps/2 to usb. it could only be used in stuff that would support that kind of adapter, much like the usb>ps/2 dongle that comes with logitech stuff..
but phil collins is right, it won't work with anything not meant to work with it. you can get ps/2 to usb adapters that work, but these will have a usb controller chip in em somewhere and usually have a keyboard along with a mouse input. i don't have one of those at the moment, but my best guess would be that you could hook up 2 mice to it.. you can get these from radioshack, best buy, walmart, etc. for ~$15 and up. i have heard some complaints about using these for this application tho..
LJHalfbreed:
Yeah... I'm currently trying out the PS2->USB adapter (coded and labeled keyboard/green), and it doesn't seem to work right with a mouse. Soooo.... I'm thinking I'm hosed on that aspect.
I'm thining I'll have to hunt down a USB mouse and go with that setup on oscar controls... I was hoping to avoid this, because both spinner and trackball are set up for PS2, and I'd hate to go hacking into perfectly good working PS2 stuff just to get them to work.
Thanks for the suggestion though... an 8 dollar (or less) USB mouse plus a dpdt switch is a whole lot easier to pay for instead of a 40$ PS2->USB converter that still might not work correctly with two mice.
Anyone have any other suggestions for getting 2 'mice' to work within WinXP, or is hacking a usb mouse (or installing a 40$ optipac) the only option?
-LJ
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